Today was one of the trickiest travel days of the tour: complicated luggage restrictions, tight travel connections and precious little time to spare.  However, due to the brilliant planning and troubleshooting of operations manager Beth Kellar-Long and other tour staff, the Orchestra arrived on time and ready for the 4:45p pre-concert rehearsal at Royal Albert Hall.

 

As orchestra president Tony Woodcock describes in another story, the BBC Proms is a truly unique concert experience – and performing there is an unforgettable event.  The rehearsal was for eight camera operators as well as for the Orchestra since the concert is telecast on BBC-4.  The lighting for TV only adds to the drama of Royal Albert Hall – you can see for yourself in today’s photo album!

 

Merely 90 minutes after rehearsal ended, the lights dimmed and the Proms experience began.  First, the unmistakable sound of a cell phone ring came through the PA system – growing more insistent and louder until finally a disembodied voice reminded the audience to turn off all cell phones.  A very effective attention grabber!

 

Prior to the piano concerto, the stage manager raised the lid on the piano to a boisterous, antiphonal shout of “heave!” – “ho!” bringing a grin to every face onstage.  Then, in the hush before the downbeat, a Prommer shouted a message loudly to soloist Llyr Williams in his native Welsh.  “Welcome to the Proms!”  And so the Minnesota Orchestra became a part of the magnificent history of this festival.

 

As Osmo said after the concert, “You feel a strong welcome and that the audience really wants to hear the music; and we gave them something that was very worth listening to.  I feel that we are all starting to breathe together and it makes the performances even better.”